This is a collection of short biographical sketches submitted by individuals with a link to the Researcher. You are invited to send appropriate sketches of early Atchison County residents for inclusion on this page

JOSEPH E. GIBSON

Joseph E. Gibson, former of Center township, Atchison County, Kansas and a widely known breeder of Shorthorn cattle, has one of the attractive and well kept farm homes in Atchison County, located directly on the White Way, a much traveled and fairly well kept highway, crossing Atchison County from east to west. Mr. Gibson was born August 22, 1861 in Union County, Ohio and is a descendant of good old Virginia stock. His parents were John and Susannah (WESTLAKE) Gibson, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of the Buckeye State. John Gibson, the father, was born in Westmoreland County, VA, June 17, 1824 and was the son of Leven and Mary (McCLURE) Gibson, who were among the early settlers of the state of Ohio, migrating from their old homestead in Virginia in 1833 and settling in Ohio, where they lived on a pioneer farm the remainder of their days. John Gibson was reared to young manhood on his father's farm and after his marriage settled on a farm of his own in Union County, Ohio, where Joseph was born and reared. John Gibson was the father of seven children, namely: Arthur, a farmer living in Union County, Ohio; Joseph E.; Mattie, deceased; Mrs. Rosa F. STALEY, of Union County, Ohio; Thomas, a farmer and sawmill operator in Louisiana; Mrs. Lizzie SCHULER, residing in New Dover, Ohio; and Asa, a farmer of New Dover, Ohio. The father of these children died in 1899. The mother was born in Belmont County Ohio in 1829 and departed this life in 1907. She was a daughter of Josiah and Christena (KNUGHOUF) Westlake.

Joseph E. Gibson, of whom this review directly treats, was brought up on his father's farm in Union County, Ohio, and there attended the district school. He remained with his parents until 1891 and then migrated to Kansas to become a foreman in the fruit orchards owned by J. W. PARKER in Atchison County. Eight years later he rented a farm three miles north of Shannon, Kan. and in 1901 purchased the farm of eighth acres which he is now cultivating in Center township. This tract of eighty acres lies in sections 10, 6 and 19 of this town ship and is well improved. The improvements which Mr. Gibson has placed on his farm since buying it will exceed $1,400. For some years he has been a breeder of pure bred Shorthorn cattle and ships the product of his farm to all parts of the country. He has a herd of high grade Shorthorn cattle to the number of twenty-eight head. The cattle bring good prices at private sale, the buyers visiting the farm for the purpose of purchase. He also is a breeder of Big Type Poland China hogs of the best breed obtainable.

Mr. Gibson was married November 8, 1888 to Miss Virginia I. WEAVER, and to this union the following children have been born: Imogene, a graduate of the Atchison County High School; Walter S., at home, attending business college at Atchison; one child died in infancy. The mother of these children was born on April 17, 1864 near Lockburn, Franklin County, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Isabella (GAVEL) Weaver, who were the parents of six children. The father, George, was a native of Berks County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1806, when he came west and located in Pickaway County, Ohio, near where the city of Circleville is now located. He was a tailor by trade and for many years held the office of deputy sheriff of that county. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He died in 1848. Samuel Weaver was well educated. When twenty years of age he went west and traveled in different states for ten years. When thirty years old, while traveling in Iowa he met Isabel Gavel, to whom he was married December 16, 1856. She was born in Germany and immigrated with her parents to America when one year old and was reared in Franklin County, Ohio. She was born April 3, 1935. Samuel and Isabel Weaver were the parents of five children: Mrs. Catharine E. CUNNINGHAM. She died at Cleveland, Ohio in 1911; Mrs. Virginia I. Gibson; Mrs. Mary F. SOUTHERN died at Marysville, Ohio, in 1900; George H. and Samuel, deceased. Samuel, after a residence in Franklin County, located in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1869 and farmed until his death, July 26, 1904.

Mr. Gibson is a Democrat who has taken an active interest in political and civic affairs in the county and is now serving his third term as trustee of Center township. It is needless to remark that he is satisfying the people of the township and is an efficient and capable official who looks after the township affairs as carefully as he does his own personal affairs. He is fraternally affiliated with the Odd Fellows lodge, the Modern Woodmen and the Central Protective Association.

Mrs. Gibson takes a just pride in keeping the place in spick and span condition and she has a beautiful lawn fronting the White Way road which attracts the attention of travelers.

Taken from:

History of Atchison County, Kansas

by Sheffield Ingalls - 1916

Submitted by:

Clemi Higley Blackburn, August 2001

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